Men strap on their high heels for the YWCA

LETHBRIDGE – There was a bit of a different sight in the downtown core Friday afternoon: dozens of men donning their highest high heels.

“I thought it was going to be a lot shorter walk than it was,” said participant Jon Clark. “I didn’t think the heels would hurt as much as they did.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "I thought it was going to be a lot shorter walk than it was," said participant Jon Clark. "I didn't think the heels would hurt as much as they did."

The YWCA Walk a Mile In Her Shoes is an annual walk where men raise funds and walk one mile around Galt Gardens in high heels. The walk shows support for women and their children who take steps to walk away from family violence.

“It’s a great way to actually symbolize walking in somebody else’s shoes and a fun way to actually generate some much-needed funds for the YWCA,” said YWCA Lethbridge and District Executive Director Kristine Cassie.

The shoes are owned by the Calgary YWCA and are donated to Lethbridge for the walk.

Organizers said they raised over $13,000 last year and that this year they are well above that number.

The money raised at the event stays in the community to help neighbours, family and friends.

“We probably have to fundraise and get small grants for about $400,000 a year just to be operational for our domestic violence programs,” said Cassie. “So it goes a long way to doing that.”

Lethbridge’s fire chief participated this year for the first time since being in the community. He said it’s important to show that emergency response workers support women and children in these situations.

“On a personal level, I’m a father of two daughters,” said Fire Chief Richard Hildebrand. “I certainly hope that they will always be safe.”

Even though some men struggled on the course, they knew they were supporting a cause that is important to them all.

“My legs are on fire,” said Clark. “I just want this to go a little quicker. But, I could see the finish line and it was for a good cause.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "My legs are on fire," said Clark. "I just want this to go a little quicker. But, I could see the finish line and it was for a good cause."

“I got some really great advice from my daughters,” said Hildebrand. “They told me, ‘Dad go for the wedges,’ and I went for the wedges,” he laughed. “Although I’m suffering, I think some of my other counterparts are suffering a little worse right now.”